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Thursday, September 18, 2014

Love this vine!

I post about the maypop (Passiflora involucrata incarnata) vine a few times each year, but I just can't help it. The blooms are so beautiful, intricate, and fragrant, the vine is vigorous and attractive...


What's not to love about this cold-hardy native?


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Well, except for the fact that it's quite vigorous, spreading from its thick roots. I don't even know how many of these vines I have now. Did some grow from seed, or did they all just spread from the same parent plant?


You know, I don't really care.


They're just too fabulous, blooming all summer long...

These are at head level, and I hit them each time I walk by.

...then producing dozens of fruits.

Not that these are fruits to get overly excited about. They're mostly empty shells, an air pocket surrounding seeds that are encased in a juicy pulp. Oh, but it's such a yummy pulp!

They're not ripe yet, but in the next few weeks I think...


Edit: I have such a hard time with the species name of this one. I always oscillate between "involucrata" (incorrect) and "incarnata" (correct), then convince myself that the wrong one is right. Passiflora incarnata is the correct name for maypop. Sorry!)

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9 comments:

  1. Salty Pumpkin StudioSeptember 18, 2014 at 8:47 AM

    Good photographs. I don't recall seeing this plant before.

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  2. Mark and GazSeptember 18, 2014 at 9:23 AM

    Cold hardy? I better look for one here then, it looks great!

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  3. danger gardenSeptember 18, 2014 at 11:15 AM

    I've never heard of the fruits developing around here, how intriguing!

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  4. Lisa C. D.September 18, 2014 at 8:58 PM

    Hi Alan! I absolutely love every passiflora. But wait, you just said cold-hardy? what is its hardiness? I would love to try it if its hardy enough.

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  5. Gerhard Bock (Succulents and More)September 19, 2014 at 7:48 PM

    Passionfruit is my favorite flavor in the world. Yes, the pulp is slimy, but it's soooo good in smoothies and mixed with other juice. I've never had maypop fruit, but I assume it's essentially similar to Passiflora edulis.

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  6. AlanSeptember 21, 2014 at 10:42 AM

    DC Tropics: certainly is ready to take over, but that's one of the things I like about it. Vines that creep along all summer, barely getting to 5' by fall -- those are not for me! :)

    Lisa: zone 5 to 9. Email me if you want a division (anybody in the US). I have many to dig up.

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  7. Lisa C. D.September 22, 2014 at 9:34 PM

    Thanks Alan! wow, I thought the hardiest passiflora was Passiflora caerulea. It´s great to know there is one hardy to zone 5!! I live in Spain, not in the US, but thank you very much for your offer!! It must look beautiful in your garden.

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  8. paulSeptember 24, 2014 at 7:58 PM

    hi Alan,

    I always wanted one of these! Would love a division if you still have any. Have Konjac corms to trade if interested!

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  9. AlanSeptember 25, 2014 at 10:02 AM

    Paul: email me! I have plenty of Konjac corms already, but let's talk.

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